Expendable sea target



arch 1970 R. s. DAUGHENBAUGH 3,

EXPENDABLE SEA TARGET Filed April 29. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I ue I "HlNVE/VTOR.

F RAYMOND s. DAUGHENBAUGH g- B) W W 132 Q/ggmf March 1970 R. s.DAUGHENBAUGH 3,500,408

EXPENDABLE SEA TARGET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 29. 1968 3,500,408EXPENDABLE SEA TARGET Raymond S. Daughenbaugh, 4601 S. B St., Oxnard,Calif. 93030 Filed Apr. 29, 1968, Ser. No. 724,886 Int. Cl. G015 7/42;H01q /18 US. Cl. 343-18 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Theinvention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for theGovernment of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This inventionrelates to targets, and more particularly to inflatable targets, for usein target practice at sea.

Description of the prior art Prior sea targets have been expensive toconstruct, cumbersome to transport to the target site and, throughouttheir life, constitute a substantial menace to navigation. Such priortarget constructions have ordinarily been in the form of a raft orbuoyant platform made of heavy timbers or of steel pontoons which areinterconnected by rigid angle irons or other supports. Above thisfloating platform has been erected a lattice-work superstructure of woodor metal slats and this superstructure constitutes the visible portionof the target.

Such prior art devices are very expensive to manufacture and require theuse of a tug or other sea-going vessel to tow them to the target site.When cast adrift they may be lost or broken up in inclement weather andthereafter constitute a serious hazard to navigation. Even when brokenup during target practice they leave large chunks of flotsam which canbe a substantial peril to navigation in the area for a long time.

Heretofore it has been proposed to provide small radar reflective unitswhich are water-borne and can be employed for target practice. Some ofthese constructions are inflatable. However such constructionsfrequently lack ease of portability and the capacity to sustain one ormore projectile hits without deflation and loss. Furthermore such priorinflatable devices are ordinarily complex in nature, are unreliable inoperation and are restricted to relatively small size hence are notvisible from the substantial distances required for target use with thecurrent longer range missiles and projectiles SUMMARY The presentinvention is directed to an inflatable sea target comprising a networkof flexible plastic tubing which is inflated by an attached air flaskafter the target is cast from a ship or aircraft. A coarse radarreflecting net covers the tubing and gives a dome-shaped appearance tothe inflated device. When the target is erected and floating on thesurface of the sea a degree of stability is provided by the dependingair flask and its support cradle.

ates ate Appropriate valving prevents total loss of buoyancy in theevent of failure of some of the plastic tubes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved seatarget, inflatable in design and non-hazardous to navigation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a relativelystable target which is not readily capsized by strong winds or high seastates.

A further object is to provide a lightweight, inexpensive target whichis compact in storage, economical to construct and is readily expendableafter use.

Another object of the present invention is to insure a durable target byproviding means for maintaining buoyancy should some of the individualplastic tube elements fail.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the inventionwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevatioal view ofone embodiment of the present invention shown in its compact, deflatedcondition prior to launch.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the target fully inflatedas it appears when resting upon the surface of the sea.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed vertical cross-section of the embodimentof FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along a line substantially corresponding to line33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a slightly enlarged transverse plan view taken along a linesubstantially corresponding to line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a detail top plan view taken along a line substantiallycorresponding to line 55 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing wherelike reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout, there isshown a target 10 comprising generally bottom and top manifoldassemblies 12 and 14 respectively positioned one above the other andconnected together by a hollow shaft formed of a series of hollowcontiguous telescoping sections 16, 18, 20 and 21 (FIG. 3). A flexibleand inflatable tubing system 22 operatively interconnects the twomanifolds and a reflectorized net 24 is positioned over and supported bythe tubing system 22. Suspended from the bottom manifold 12 is apressurized gas flask or cylinder 116 for supplying a suitable inert gasto the manifold 12 for distribution to the flexible tubing system 22.The reflectorized net 24 upon inflation of the tubing system renders ahemiglobal or dome-shaped appearance to the entire target 10 andprovides a basis for radar detection.

The bottom manifold 12 has passages 27 drilled therein which extend froma central gas inlet passage 128 to a plurality of tube connectionspositioned in advantageous areas of the manifold. These include acentral upwardly extending tube connection 28 and a multiplicity ofradially disposed tube connections 3246 extending in equidistantlyspaced relationship located horizontally about the periphery of themanifold 12. Each tube connection 28 and 32-46 may be provided with acheck valve 30 to prevent backward flow of air or gas into the manifold12.

The top manifold 14 may have a slightly smaller radius than the bottommanifold 12 but the two manifolds are otherwise similar. Manifold 14 hasa central downwardly extending tube connection 50 and the same number ofhorizontal and equidistantly spaced radially disposed tube connections5266 corresponding to similar connections on the bottom manifold 12.Since the flexible tubing system 22 operatively connects the twomanifolds, 12 and 14 respectively, there must be the same number of hoseconnections on each manifold. It will be noted that check valves are notprovided in the top manifold 14. However interconnected passages 29 arepresent since they serve as an avenue through which the gas pressure canbe released from the top manifold 14 by removal of threaded plug 31should deflation of an inflated target be desired.

Both bottom and top manifolds are structurally interconnected by thehollow telescoping metal sections 16, 18, 20 and 21. As shown the outersection 16 may be attached to the upwardly extending tube connection 28of the bottom manifold 12 and the innermost section 21 may be attachedto the downwardly extending tube connection 50 of top manifold 14 by thebolt and nut arrangements 68 and 70 respectively. Sections 18 and 20 arepositioned in a. sliding arrangement, one within the other and provide atelescoping effect substantially as illustrated. Each section 16, 18, 20and 21 has a shoulder 72 which contacts an inwardly extending topportion 74 of an externally contiguous section when fully extended whichthereby limits the length to which the sections can be extended. Thuswhen the sections 16, 18, 20 and 21 are completely telescoped, thetarget is a relatively small package easily handled and transportable;whereas when the sections are fully extended, a fairly tall and easilyseen sea target is provided. While the foregoing is the preferred meansof providing a telescoping attachment between the bottom and topmanifolds, other expandable arrangements may be employed if so desired.

The flexible tubing system 22 when inflated is designed to completelyextend the telescoped members 16, 18, and 21 and to provide a largetarget 10 having positive buoyancy thus enabling the target 10 to floatwhen erected in the target area. It includes eight spreader tubes 76-90,each being positioned over one of the corresponding separate tubeconnections 32-46 which branch equidistantly about the periphery of thebottom manifold 12.

The spreader tubes 76-90, after extending a suitable distance outwardfrom each tube connection much in the same manner as the spokes of awheel radiate outward away from a central hub, bend or turn upwards andcontinue as support tubes 94408 wher they are positioned over theappropriate tube connection 52-66 of the top manifold 14. If desired anelbow 92 may be positioned between the outer ends 93 and 95 of eachspreader and support tube which strengthens the angle area andfacilitates manufacture.

A separate flexible vertical support tube 110 may be positioned so as toenclose the contiguous vertically disposed telescoping sections 16, 18,20 and 21 and is secured over both the upwardly extending tubeconnection 28 of the bottom manifold 12 and the downwardly extendingtube connection 50 of the top manifold 14.

At each attaching connection of both the spreader and the support tubes,a neoprene gasket 112 may be employed in combination with a hose clamp114 to assure an adequate seal.

The radar reflective coarse netting 134 provides high visibility to thetarget 10 and strengthens the inflated assembly.

The flexible tubing system 22 is inflated from a compressed air or gascylinder 116 which may be suspended at suitable distance below thebottom manifold 12 by four suspension rods 118, 120, 122 and 124, saidrods being connected at 125 to the manifold 12 in an equally spacedarrangement about the periphery thereof. A cylinder clamp 127 serves tomaintain the suspended position of the air cylinder 116 against the.four attaching suspension rods 118-124. A hose 126 extends from the aircylinder 116 to the connection 128 placed in the bottom center ofmanifold 12, and a suitable pressure valve 130 controls the flow of airfrom the cylinder 116 to the central inlet connection 128 on the bottommanifold 12. Counterweights 132 may be positioned just below thecylinder .116 and be attach d o the rods 118-124 substantially as shown.Such counterweights provide stability to the target 10 against it beingoverturned by wind or wave.

When the target 10 is to be deployed, valve is opened to admit gasthrough hose 126 to the inlet connection 128 from which it is portedthrough the radial passages 27 to pass out of the central tubeconnection 28, and through the eight branched tube connections 32-46through the check valves 30 and into the flexible tubing system 22. Thisincludes the spreader tubes 76-90, the support tubes 94-108 and theseparate vertical support tube 110. By inflation of the foregoingtubular system, the telescoped sections 16, 18, 20 and 21 are extendedand the target 10 is made buoyant. Since the check valves are mounted inall of the tubular connections placed on the bottom manifold 12, afailure of one or several tubes will not materially affect the buoyancyof the target.

Of course the valve 130 may be of the type actuated by water contact soas to cause inflation after immersion of the target or, if desired, itmay be time operated so that it releases the compressed inflating fluidinto the tubular structure after a predetermined time interval.

It will be apparent that target construction of the nature recited lendsitself particularly well to simulated warfare conditions and with theprovision of a timing valve arrangement as aforesaid targets may bedeployed and left floating in an area for a considerable time beforeautomatically inflating. This lends itself especially well to the mocksimulation of surprise attacks by the enemy since the inflation may becaused to occur at an unpredicted time and the system serves to checkupon the detection capability as well as the firing accuracy of theattacking vessel.

In view of the lightweight construction, a target made in accordancewith this invention does not constitute any hazard to navigation even iflost at sea for a considerable period of time. Moreover in view of theopen tubular construction and the reticulated netting, the target is notaffected by prevailing winds and is not easily upset or caused to driftthereby.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A target deployable at sea from an air or marine vehicle and capableof floating for sustained periods while being subject to target practicecomprising:

a plurality of inflatable, flexible tubes a portion being arranged todefine a base for the target said base portion resting in the watersubstantially at the surface of the sea for buoyant support of thetarget, said tubes including a buoyant peripheral member and a pluralityof similarly buoyant central members encompassed by said peri heralmember;

a second portion of said inflatable, flexible tubes also forming anabove-water portion supported by said base portion and extendingupwardly into the air to define a visible structure having substantialexternal dimensions and an external contour which is readily visiblewhen viewed from any angle;

a source of gaseous fluid for filling said inflatable tubes to causethem to expand and become form retaining;

means positioned within said inflatable tubes for preventing loss oftarget buoyancy in the event failure of any tubes occurs; and

counterweights centrally mounted and adapted to provide positionstability to said target;

said tubes when inflated having a small cross section and being disposedrelative each other and to the inflated base so as to provide an opennetwork which appears substantially solid when viewed from a distancebut which permits the free passage of wind therethrough to preventtarget upsetting and mini. mize drifting as a result of wind resistance.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the tubes forming said base portion areradially disposed and wherein the source of gaseous fluid is locatedbelow the floating base.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein manifolds structurally interconnectedwith the source of gaseous fluid distribute the gas to the base and tothe visible portion of the target.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the source of gaseous fluid is a flaskof compressed gas which is interconnected with a manifold whichdistributes the gas to the tubes of said base and said visible portionof the target.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein upper and lower gaseous distributingmanifolds are interconnected by a telescoping arrangement which permitsmanifold separation during tube inflation and raises the top of thetarget assembly a substantial distance above the surface of the sea toenhance target visibility.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein control means is provided forinitiating flow of gaseous fluid to said tubes, said control meansincluding a timing device whereby the target may be inflated at apredetermined time interval after deployment.

7. An inflatable sea target comprising:

a plurality of relatively small cross sectioned inflatable tubesradially disposed and arranged to define a base which rests in the watersubstantially at the surface of the sea;

a second set of relatively small cross sectioned inflat able tubesinterconnected with the first set for inflation therewith from a commonsource and defining, when inflated, an openwork target assemblypositioned above the sea level;

means for inflating both sets of tubes so as to provide buoyancy and toerect a visible superstructure;

means positioned Within said tubes for preventing loss of targetbuoyancy; and

counterweights centrally mounted and adapted to provide positionstability to said target;

said erected superstructure including relatively large open spacestherethrough and providing relatively small wind resistance whereby theinfluence of atmospheric conditions upon the target is maintained at aminimum.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein a coarse radar reflective net isattached to the inflatable tubes for increasing the visibility of saiddevice and providing a suitable radar signal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,534,710 12/1950 Golian etal.343915X 2,907,875 10/1959 Seyfang 343 10 2,859,457 11/1958 Manhart9-11.1

FOREIGN PATENTS 913,546 12/1962 Great Britain.

RICHARD A. FARLEY, Primary Examiner B. L. RIBANDO, Assistant ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R. 98

